4 Things Every Car Owner Needs

Owning a car can be exciting, providing you with the freedom to go anywhere at any time. But that freedom can be cut short if something goes wrong on the road, and you don’t have the right tools for dealing with the problem at hand. Life can be unpredictable, so it’s important that you’re prepared for as many potential issues as you can imagine. To that end, here are four items that we think every car owner should keep in their cars.

Spare Tire Kit

Flat tires are one of the most common roadside issues, so it’s important that you have the tools to put on a spare tire—and the know-how to use them. Most new cars will come with a complete spare tire kit, including the spare tire itself, a jack, and a lug wrench. You should be able to confidently loosen the lug nuts, jack up your car, and replace the tire on the side of the road. If you can do this, you can get to one of the auto body shops in Houston safely and quickly instead of waiting on the side of the road for help to arrive.

Lubricant

Lubricants like WD-40 are common in garages of many homes, but it’s also a good idea to keep a small bottle of this in your car. While having it in your garage is helpful for oiling squeaking car doors and other non-emergency maintenance issues, a lubricant is also beneficial for loosening lug nuts on a flat tire. If you’re stuck with a flat on the side of the road and can’t seem to get those lug nuts to turn, a quick spray of lubricant can help get them turning so you can change the tire.

Jumper Cables

Another common problem many car owners experience is a dead battery. While this isn’t generally an issue you have on the road, it’s extremely unpleasant to find your car in the parking lot, only to realize you left a light on while you were shopping and the battery has died. Without jumper cables, you can be stranded in that parking lot for some time, waiting for a friend or car service to arrive. If you have cables, all you need is a car parked nearby with a driver who’s willing to spare a few minutes of their time. Make sure you know how to hook up the cables to jump your car, and both you and the Good Samaritan who helped you can be on your way quickly.

Wiper Fluid

It might not seem like an absolute necessity. After all, how severe can a lack of wiper fluid be? But if you’re driving down the highway on a wet day, and the truck in front of you keeps throwing mud onto your windshield, a lack of wiper fluid can be a major problem. With nothing to help wash the dirt off, your wipers will smear it across the windshield, creating a severe visual obstruction. But if you keep some in your car, you can pull over, top off your fluid, and get your windshield clean again.
If your car is experiencing battery trouble, needs new tires, or requires other maintenance, stop by Bemer Motor Cars today and see how one of the best body shops in Houston can help.